Varta Lands OE Contracts
A high proportion of the new cars launched at the recent Geneva Motor Show and set to reach the UK market shortly feature Varta calcium-silver and AGM batteries as original equipment. Varta claims a share of more than half the European OE market. Among the new cars with Varta as OE are two high-performance coupes from two of the UKs most famous marques; the Jaguar XK8 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Continue ReadingMax Power Returns to the NEC
Max Power Live, the UK’s biggest modified motor show, will be returning to Birmingham for its eighth consecutive year from Friday 30 June through to Sunday 2 July 2006. The number one custom car event, a collaboration between Haymarket Exhibitions and Emap Automotive, will fill 500,000 square feet of the National Exhibition Centre this summer. The organisers of this year’s Max Power Live are expecting to entertain more than 50,000 car enthusiasts as they descend upon the NEC to catch a glimpse of the latest in tuning, styling, drifting performances and ‘In Car Entertainment’ (ICE).
Continue ReadingTyres Will Decide F1 Title, says Alonso
Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso says his expected battle with Michael Schumacher this year’s title is likely to come down to a battle of the tyres. Alonso’s team (Renault), Honda and McLaren are all Michelin-shod teams, while their Bridgestone supply rivals Toyota, Williams and Ferrari. But it is Ferrari that have Alonso worried. “Ferraris success will depend on their tyres. We saw that in Bahrain. The Bridgestone worked very well – Schumacher was fighting for victory and Williams did the fastest lap of the race,” said Alonso.
Continue ReadingEconomic Influence Subject of MEMA ‘Landmark’ Study
(Akron/Tire Review) Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has undertaken what it calls “a landmark study” to document the economic influence of automotive and heavy-duty suppliers. The study, which is scheduled to be completed in November, will analyze the economic contribution of suppliers to the nation’s economy and will provide data on both a national level and state-by-state breakdown, MEMA said.
Continue ReadingCooper Hires Long to Aid Global Supply Chain
(Akron/Tire Review) Jerry Long has joined Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. as an unnamed position “to assist in the worldwide integration of Cooper’s global supply chain network,” according to the company. Long’s responsibilities will include global purchasing, warehousing and distribution, logistics and transportation and planning. He is an 18-year veteran with Dana Corp. with domestic and international experience in finance, accounting and manufacturing.
Continue ReadingAmerityre Lists on Nasdaq
Polyurethane tyre producer, Amerityre began trading on the Nasdaq Capital market on 21 March. “We are very pleased to reach this milestone in the development of our company,” commented Richard Steinke, Amerityre’s president and CEO. “We look forward to the enhanced access to the capital markets, improved liquidity and added shareholder value that are typically associated with a NASDAQ listing.”
Continue ReadingAnalysts: High Natural Rubber Price to Impact Michelin
Michelin’s budget for raw material costs is expected to increase by 11 per cent year-on-year in 2006. However, Deutsche Bank analysts report that natural rubber is up 15 per cent so far this year. “Natural rubber (RSS3) represents 25 per cent of raw material (24 per cent of sales or 4 billion euros), therefore should the natural rubber stay at these levels this would imply a discrepancy of around. 75 million euros on budgeted margins,” the analysts explained.
Continue ReadingDunlop Bike Tyre Scores Well in Second Test
The new Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier scored another significant victory in its second major international comparative tyre test; this time by German magazine PS. The test confirmed the result published last month carried out by US magazine, Sport Rider, which compared the top road tyres on the market. The Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier was pitched against the latest offerings from Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Avon, Metzeler and Continental in a gruelling assessment of traction, braking, steering response and general handling qualities.
Continue ReadingPirelli Launches New Scorpion ATR Tyre in US
Pirelli Tire North America hosted dealers and media as the Milan-based company introduced its newest addition to its highly respected Scorpion light truck/SUV tire range, the Scorpion ATR. Over 150 dealers and media will be participating in the introduction staged at Bellagio, Las Vegas, with product testing scheduled for Las Vegas Motor Speedway and southern Nevada’s Valley of Fire. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Pirelli’s expanded range of Run Flat tyres and the new X-Pressure Optic tyre pressure monitoring system.
Continue ReadingNew Regional Haul Steer and Drive Tyres from Dunlop
Dunlop has launched its first new generation 17.5” and 19.5” regional haul tyres: the Dunlop SP344 steer tyre and SP444 drive tyre. The new tyres provide optimum wet braking, traction and handling throughout their life. In addition, high mileage, improved fuel consumption and a greater resistance to damage are all benefits, which increase fleet efficiency, says Dunlop. Featuring new construction, compounds and tread designs, the new tyre range is designed specifically to meet the demands of todays hauliers and fleet operators.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Launches New Dueler H/P Sport Tyre
Bridgestone has launched a new high-performance 4x4/SUV tyre. According to the manufacturer, the Dueler H/P Sport is the first 4x4 tyre in its portfolio to be derived from Formula One technology. The tyre has been designed to give driving precision and comfort to the increasing number of powerful sports utility vehicles (SUVs) on UK roads today. With many new SUVs now capable of speeds of more than 140mph, Bridgestone UK’s marketing manager Andy Lane believes it is vital that these vehicles have suitable tyres.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Receives Spartan Chassis ‘SPARC’ Award
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has received Spartan Chassis Inc.s SPARC Award for commercial tyres installed on Spartan recreational vehicle and fire truck chassis. Spartan Chassis - part of Spartan Motors Inc. - said the award involves product quality, supply and delivery, engineering and technical support, sales and marketing, and training and warranty support.
Continue ReadingNew Beissbarth Wheel Aligner
Beissbarth UK has launched a new wheel aligner in its highly successful Microline range, which has the highest number of top manufacturer approvals. The Beissbarth ML1800 is an entry level wheel alignment unit aimed at smaller body shops and garages. It runs on a user-friendly Windows computer programme and includes car and van database details. Beissbarth UK’s managing director Phillip Hodges said: “Beissbarth aligner technology is renowned throughout the industry. By introducing this latest model we have been able to offer even more features than previously available on our starter level systems.
Continue ReadingCan you Crack the Fulda Challenge?
Following the return of the most successful Fulda Challenge UK team ever, organisers of the extreme arctic adventure are now accepting applications for the 2007 event. The Fulda Challenge takes place early each year, in the Yukon Territory of Canada. After touching down in the Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse, the demanding schedule for the weeklong event will see the teams cover over 2,000km surrounded by spectacular frozen scenery.
Continue ReadingCEAT Invests 300 million rupees in Radialisation
CEAT Kelani Associated Holdings is to invest 300 million rupees (£1.67 million) into the radialisation of its Kelaniya, Sri Lanka plant Managing director Rohan Fernando explained that the new equipment would produce tyres for “light weight vehicles.” Local news sources have reported that the manufacturing upgrade will be funded by local banks.
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